Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question?Please don't hesitate to email me or to ask while you’re making your appointment! SingletonMassage@gmail.com

Also, here are a few frequently asked questions to help you:

Do you take insurance?

I cannot take insurance directly. However, I can sign the insurance forms for you to send to your insurance company to request reimbursement. My experience has been that if my client is using personal injury protection or has a prescription they have always been reimbursed, but insurance always depends on a lot of factors (so that’s a question for your insurance agent.)

I can directly accept HSA or FSA cards.

WHAT WILL MY FIRST SESSION BE LIKE?

The short answer is: it will be however you'd like it to be!You'll be given an intake form that will look similar to a short questionnaire from a doctor's office to fill out before your session. Much of this is information I'm legally required to ask you, but also it will ask you questions to help frame why you are here or what type of massage you are looking for, and help me determine what type of massage techniques would be most helpful or even most enjoyable for you. When you're led into the room, we'll have a short conversation so that you can ask for the type of service you need or think you might like. This can be anything from a fully clothed stretching session to a therapeutic massage for stress relief. Also, you can describe what your therapeutic goals are (pain relief, increase in range of motion, lowered stress levels etc.) and I can tell you what approach is likely to be most helpful and is indicated and we can plan the service from there. Many people receiving their first massage treatment say they don't really know what they want, and that's OK too!After that short conversation, I will leave the room so that you can get disrobed and under the sheets or otherwise change into stretchy clothes (depending on the session.) During a Swedish massage you can expect to only have one area uncovered when that section is being massaged (so one leg at a time, your back, etc) and genitals are absolutely never to be uncovered or touched. You can ask questions and make requests during the session or you can stay in a silent, meditative state if you prefer.Afterwards, I'll leave the room so you can get dressed or if you need to change clothes.

The session will be tailored to fit whatever your goals for the session are. You're the boss, I'm the administrator. I can talk you through each step as we go or keep the room silent so that you can relax. Don't hesitate to be specific with your requests.

What CONDITIONS are helpful to treat with massage?

There are a variety of illnesses and conditions that can improve in signs and symptoms from treatment by different modalities of massage. If you're not sure, there may be reputable sources online, you can ask your doctor to ask if your condition is on the short list of conditions that are "absolute contraindications" for massage. You can also ask the massage therapist you are planning to see.

It's hard to answer this FAQ in a general way, but your takeaway should be that it never hurts to ask! Most likely, there is a massage therapy modality can help your symptoms and assist with overall function. Make an appointment or email me at SingletonMassage@gmail.com and I can let you know what I know!

There are many conditions whose symptoms can commonly be helped by a qualified massage therapist, and here is very short and incomplete list of a few I’m frequently asked about:

Carpal tunnel syndromeScoliosisArthritisJoint compressionBursitisTendonitisMigrainesTMJ dysfunctionTorticollisLordosis & kyphosisLymphatic problemsPlantar fasciitisEndometriosisSinus drainage blockageNerve impingementCertain kinds of IBS and Crohn's DiseaseSubluxationMuscle crampsScar tissue-related symptomsAny condition that can be affected by stress levelsPain that is not explained by conventional scans such as MRIs and CT scans.

However, you should never use massage therapy as a replacement for diagnosis and conventional treatment of any serious condition. Please email me if you have further questions!

DO I NEED TO TAKE OFF ALL MY CLOTHES FOR A MASSAGE?

We can do what you are comfortable with! Often my clients wear just stretchy clothing for their sessions.If you have any requests, hesitations, or boundaries of comfort that I should know, let's talk! If one of your requests makes one of your goals less efficient to achieve, I may discuss the pros and cons with you. For example, if you would like to work towards pain relief at a joint that you would also like to keep covered with bulky clothing, then I may let you know that next time it would be helpful to either work directly on the skin or for you to wear light, stretchy clothing over that area. However, your comfort comes first.

DO YOU HAVE TO MASSAGE THE WHOLE BODY OR CAN I ASK FOR JUST A SECTION (LIKE JUST MY BACK?)

We will do whatever makes you comfortable!However, if you have a specific therapeutic goal in mind or if you present certain signs, I may have a short conversation with you and suggest allowing work on other areas additional to what you've requested. For a simple example, if you have upper back pain it's very helpful to release pectoral, and if your posture signals that your pectorals are tight and your upper back muscles may be overstretched, then I would suggest releasing the pectorals before massaging your upper back (even if your pain is only at the upper back.)

Keep in mind that often the area that is in pain is not necessarily the area that is most tight, but instead may be the area that is under the most stress. You may experience the most relief from first releasing a muscle or area that is putting stress on the area of symptoms. However, I will always respect my client’s preferences and boundaries.

Will it hurt?

It doesn’t need to! Requesting “good hurt” is fine, but it’s certainly not a necessity for effective results, stress relief, pain relief, or for a good massage!

I am always up for giving a deep tissue sports massage that pushes my client’s limits IF they ask for it… But “no pain no gain” certainly doesn’t apply to massage and manual therapy!I prefer to use modalities that do not trigger pain responses because I believe it is less efficient and effective to “fight” the body’s natural reflexes instead of moving with them! CranioSacral Therapy, John Barnes Myofascial Release, and relaxation massage techniques are all very effective AND very gentle.